The passionate centrist

[w4rma]

The passionate centrist

NEW YORK -

At the end of summer and onset of fall, pundits are gearing up for the Democratic presidential primaries. Recently, columnists have churned out a slew of articles profiling, criticizing and praising the candidates. Rating the candidates, writers have given the health insurance gold medal to Kerry, the centrist medal to Lieberman and the leftist medal to Dean.

Absent from all this politicking, however, is discussion on the Democratic strategy. Aside from TIME magazine's "How to Build a Better Democrat," no columnist has provided a comprehensive or innovative view of the identity Democrats need to assume in the coming election.

It seems each party is having an identity crisis. George Will, the conservative columnist for the Washington Post, stated, "Foreign and domestic developments constitute an identity crisis of conservatism, which is being recast - and perhaps rendered incoherent." In an effort to broaden their image, Republicans created an unassailable facade of "compassion," claiming to be "for" all those typically overlooked by the system: the elderly, minorities, the poor.

A cue for Democrats: To broaden your image, embrace the idea of passionate centrism. A 1997 USA Today story quoted then Governor of Vermont Howard Dean as calling himself a "passionate centrist." A cursory look at his governorship proves this to be true. And so, Dean's success, both as a governor (he's won five consecutive elections) and a presidential candidate, is based on impassioned moderation.
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http://www.michigandaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/08/04/3f2de34c3b301

[democracyindanger]

1. Interesting piece

I was struck by reading in a post here today, one DUer being referred to by another as a "centrist a$$hole."

But that made me think, why the hate? The fact that America's political center is overwhelmingly represented by Democrats is a good thing. It means the American political center--where most of us are comfortable, no matter if you're left or right--is a place where a woman's right to choose is protected, where racial discrimination is actively fought and where free speech is valued, to name a few.

In other words, the fact that America's political center is represented by liberals means we are winning. In the big picture, WE ARE WINNING. Sure, we're fighting a defensive fight right now, but we're on defense because the left is ahead in the game.

I'm tempted to go on and on about liberals crying that liberalism has failed, that we're closer to conservatives than we'd like to admit, etc.--which is all reactionary horseshit. So I'll just say this: In each of our lifetimes, this country will never be as liberal/leftist/progressive as you'd like. It's a neverending journey. But the best each of us can do is leave this planet more left than when we appeared on it. And what 'centrism' means in America today is a sign of our progress.

It's a tug-of-war. Bitching about the kerchief being on our side of the pit is stupid and counterproductive.

[dean4america]

2. ditto

I'd not heard "passionate centrist" applied with respect to Dean, though when I first saw the subject heading I thought "Oh, must be about Dean."

I think it's definitely an interesting take, and a valid one at that. I'd certainly rather have a passionate centrist than a passive liberal.

[kalash477]

3. crossing the line

Excellent article. However, it is important to be able to be passionate without turning people off. People like a candidate that has some conviction, but if he crosses the line with a lot of angry rhetoric it will turn people away . Especially considering this wave of apathy that has swamped america. So, how far does Dean go before he allows republicans to paint him as an angry emotional liberal; contrasting with bush's low-key down to earth persona?

[w4rma]

4. I think Dean is doing great. Folks who listen to him seem to come away

satisfied with him. I understand that the GOP would like to use that mem. And if he was passive they'd call him boring. You you shouldn't worry about trying to meet Republican propaganda expectations. It's impossible as they always try to paint Democrats as something we aren't. They have enough power in big media to create straw men to attack.